Airline Charges Passengers by the Pound

posted by Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff
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3 years ago

(NEWSER) – Sounds like Ryanair may have a competitor for most controversial airline: On Samoa Air, passengers are being charged by their weight. Rates start at $1 per kilo (about 2.2 pounds), which includes the weight of both the flyer and his or her baggage.

The CEO explains to ABC Radio why it's fair: "People have always traveled on the basis of their seat, but as any airline operator knows, airplanes don't run on seats," he says. "They run on weight." For longer routes, rates run as high as $4.16 per kilo.